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Food

Jjampong

Jjampong 짬뽕. This is the much loved Korean spicy seafood noodle soup. As I continue to indulge in Korean drama on Netflix, my love for Korean food (as I watched the characters eat all the yummy delicious food) grows. Jjampong was the favourite of the characters in, “It’s okay not to be okay”. If you haven’t seen this, I would strongly recommend it. As much as I love meat, seafood…

Food

Steak Noodle Soup

This is a Korean inspired Steak Noodle Soup. It’s very simple to make and it’s really tasty. Perfect on a rainy day. I prefer to use sirloin for this but you can use ribeye if you prefer. Of course, beautifully marbled wagyu sirloin steaks are best. As for the noodle, I have used thin udon noodles. It can be substituted with rice noodles or any other noodles. This soup is…

Food

Butternut Squash Risotto

This is a very heartwarming family dish in my opinion. It’s one those family favourites that bring everyone together. Best made in Autumn when butternut squash are in abundance. Of course, this is not just a simple Butternut Squash Risotto, it oozes warmth, a proper comfort food. It’s one you would make on a rainy day or on a day when you need a warmth and love. It contains 100%…

Food

Prawn Linguine

There are many different ways to cook pasta and seafood. You can always opt for a tomatoey sauce, white sauce or olive oil with pasta or for pasta itself, the most basic cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper). This recipe is made with a modified white sauce. Basically, I had leftover sour cream before we went away, and I am one those who hates wasting food. There were minimal ingredients…

Food

Ultimate Burger

If you are as carnivorous as we are, proper beef burgers are a must at least once a week! In London, we found that the best place for a good burger, reasonably priced, family friendly and very civilised, and of course served with a good glass of red wine is Bar Boulud at Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge. Of course, this is all pre-Covid. During the lockdown period, we have all had…

Food

Spicy Pork Bulgogi

Also known as Jeyuk Bokkeum or Dweji Bulgogi, this is another one of Korean’s famous dishes. As you know, I am really into Korean drama, Korean food and the Korean language at the moment. Bulgogi is the second most famous food in Korea, so it has to be done..here’s my take on Korean Spicy Pork Bulgogi. It is really easy to make and can all be done in under 15…

Food

Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi (김치) is much loved in Korea and is served with almost everything. Not only is it tasty but it is also good for your gut! Kimchi Fried Rice is a very simple 15 minutes dish to wok up when you are in a rush but gives you a good balanced nutritious meal. Even my boys love them. My version may not be very authentic (more of a western and…

Food

Kimchi

Kimchi (김치) is the staple of Korea. A fermented dish made mainly with Chinese Cabbage aka Napa Cabbage, this dish has many variations but very easy to make at home and packs a punch for your gut health. Kimchi can be dated back to the era of the Three Kingdoms (37 BC‒7 AD). Fermented food was necessary when there were no other method to store food. The tradition though of…

Food

Red Braised Pork (红烧肉)

红烧肉 (Hong Shao Rou) is a very famous Chinese dish. It is usually cooked for special occasions and always a crowd pleaser. Using belly pork, this dish has slight variations throughout Asia. Here’s my version of the infamous Red Braised Pork and it is definitely one that my family enjoys! Ingredients (serves 4) Pork Belly 800g 2 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp light soy sauce 3 tbsp dark soy sauce…

Food

Chimichurri

I am a meat lover and most meal, I must have meat. Hence, finding a good accompaniment for good meat is essential. Chimichurri, a speciality sauce from Argentina and Uruguay is both a sauce and a condiment. You can use it to accompany any grilled meat! It’s brings out the flavour in any meat. A lot of recipes use a food processor but the authentic version is always made from…

Food

Kon Loh Mee 干捞面 Saucy Noodles with Char Siu Pork and Wanton Dumplings

This is yet another childhood favourite. You can have wanton noodles soupy or dry and this is the dry version. With this noodle dish, the important part is getting the sauce right. Char Siu Pork is easy to make. Check out my Char Siu Pork recipe if you haven’t already. Wanton Dumplings require a little practice but all doable to create a wondrous food adventure or a food memory. You…

Food

Orecchiette with Ragu and Melting Mozzarella

I love pasta, who doesn’t? Orecchiette or ‘little ears’ pasta are perfect for scooping up the sauce. A simple pasta dish can really stand out with a good sauce, cooked to perfection (al dente of course) and of course cheese. Adding Mozzarella with this pasta dish simply brings the dish alive. Try it at home if you don’t believe me! Ingredients (serves 4) 500g Orecchiette Pasta 2 cans of plum…

Food

Silky Egg Rice Noodle (Wat Tan Hor) 滑蛋河

This is one of those dishes that really reminds me of home and a good hawker stall. Fond memories of warmth and family as we share a fresh Wat Tan Hor, the smell of that delicious noodle and burning wok, and the clanging of the wok as the chef cooks, ah bliss. I can almost feel the humidity of the nights in Asia. Wat Tan Hor 滑蛋河 is made from…

Food

Braised Pork Knuckle Rice Noodles 豬腳麵線

In Taiwan, this is a very popular dish. Taiwanese would usually eat Pork Knuckle Noodles for Lunar New Year and birthdays, but as well as when you have misfortune and need to get some good fortune back. Pork Knuckle Noodles is the symbol of ironing out bad luck and bringing good fortune. This dish also has many healthy benefits such as the abundance of collagen in those trotters! In Asia,…

Food

Spaghetti Carbonara

This in my opinion is the most authentic carbonara recipe using egg yolks and pecorino cheese not cream or milk. It’s simple to make and you only need either pancetta, speck or guanciale. In this recipe, I am using speck. You can get them from most Italian food stores. Guanciale is pork jowl, the cheek that has been short-cured with salt, sugar and a mixture of spices. It is often…

Food

Claypot Rice 砂锅饭 (Sha Po Fan) or 煲仔飯 (Bow Zai Fan)

Another of my childhood favourite. This however, is a version in a London home kitchen without the claypot! The principle is the same and the taste is almost as authentic, very close I must say. This is a very popular Chinese rice casserole dish in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Southern China mainly. It’s a one pot wonder as long as you prepare everything in advance. There are a few…

Food

Hainanese Chicken Rice

This is a special recipe passed down from my father. My cousin sister uses the exact recipe passed down by her mother. So, it’s fair to say this is our family’s recipe passed down from my grandmother. I have changed it a little only because I like to make sure the chicken is fully cooked, though still moist and tender. Ingredients (serves 6) 1 large whole chicken (Organic ideally) A…

Food

Spaghetti Marmite

You either love it or you hate it. We all love Marmite in the family, thankfully. So, it is only natural that we mix spaghetti with Marmite. Trust me, it has that umami taste and it is heavenly! Ingredients (serves 4) 500g spaghetti 3 tbsp marmite 100g smoked pancetta (cubes) 1 clove of garlic (finely chopped) A bunch of basil leaves Olive oil 150g Chestnut mushrooms (finely chopped into cubes)…

Food

Braised Duck Noodle

This is a great way of using up any leftovers from your roast duck. Check out my Cantonese Roast Duck recipe if you haven’t already. The only leftovers in our house are usually the duck wings and bones. The duck bones I usually make them into a stock for other usage, or use them as a base to cook Chinese rice porridge (congee). Now, duck wings are always great for…

Food

Seafood Paella with Chorizo

Now, in my opinion, there are two camps in the world of paella. One is the standard, traditional Spanish paella (without Chorizo) and the other is popularised by Jamie Oliver (using Chorizo of course, ahem, the British style). I like both, though I must say that the addition of Chorizo does make it more tasty. This comment will probably make me very unpopular amongst the Spaniards! Lo siento! Ingredients (serves…

Food

Chawanmushi

Japanese savoury steamed eggs with kombu dashi in a cup. It is soft, silky, almost like a tofu except more silky! I simply love them as a starter to any Japanese meal. In fact, in my opinion, they are a better Japanese starter than Miso Soup. Ingredients (serves 6) 6 eggs 750ml kombu dashi 1tbsp Japanese soy sauce 200g cooked and peeled Prawns or small cooked Scallops 200g Shiitake mushrooms…

Food

Char Siu – Chinese Roast Pork

This is definitely a popular dish in the house. My youngest particularly can just have helpings after helpings of rice and char siu pork, that will keep him happy and full! For Char Siu, I usually use pork fillet but sometimes, I would use boneless pork chops as I find it is more flavoursome with that bit of fat! I don’t always use the red colouring, therefore my Char Siu…

Food

Cantonese Roast Duck

This is one of our family’s favourites. My boys love my Cantonese roast duck. I usually prepare it the night before so the duck is marinated for at least 24 hours. There are many recipes out there, but I find that this is one of the easy ones and it’s of course tried, tested, tweaked and tasted. Ingredients (serves 6) 1 duck 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1…